5 Ways to Defy Your Career Odds

Defying the odds. It’s a challenge most of us want to rise to, especially in our careers. We know there will always be setbacks, but we also know it’s what you do when facing down those trials that define success. It’s something that Bai knows a lot about. A 5-calorie beverage without artificial sweeteners that actually tastes great? It’s possible—against all odds.

Here are five ways to defy the odds in your career.
 

SEEK OUT YOUR LIMITATIONS, DON’T SHY FROM THEM  

Great believers are great achievers. When Ben Weiss launched Bai in 2009 he was up against a number of constraints. He had seen the options available in the beverage market. High-sugar, high-calorie options that tasted great but were bad for health. Or low-calorie beverages filled with unnatural ingredients. That didn’t stop him.

"Great believers are great achievers." 

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To create success you cannot copy success. Use the limitations and roadblocks to make something that has never before existed. In the case of Bai, Ben knew that if he wanted flavor and goodness to go hand in hand he would have to turn to nature to create a “bevolutionary” product.

WORK HARDER AND SMARTER

If you want to surpass expectations, you need to be willing to do both.

Every founder will tell you that to manifest success you will have to work harder than you have ever worked in your entire life. You also need to work smarter-- this is not a case of either/or.

From idea (October 2008) to first 100,000 case month (April 2013) Bai experienced a long road of hard-won and worked firsts. First case sold (August 2009). First distributor (October 2010). First roadshow (July 2011). First headquarters (October 2011).

BREAK DOWN COMPLEX PROBLEMS INTO SMALLER MANAGEABLE PIECES

Those roadblocks and setbacks? Like we mentioned, they’re inevitable. But how you break down a problem will not only give you an in-road to your own thought process (which, if you pay attention will prove beneficial to creating viable strategies) and how you deal with issues, but it also gives you a much more manageable dilemma.

"How you break down a problem will give you an in-road to your own thought process."

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When it comes to issues the devil is in the details.

INTO EVERY DAY A LITTLE FUN MUST FALL

You wanna beat the odds? You need to be able to have some fun. We’re not talking outside of the office (although, that’s equally as important), but rather, within your day there needs to be something you enjoy that puts a little pep in your step. (Or in the case of Bai, some fizz in your drink.)

Taking yourself too seriously will waterlog your creativity and that boat will sink.

TAKE STEPS FORWARD WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE GROUND

What does this mean? Entrepreneurs and successful people always talk about “the leap.” The pivotal moment that they say the edge and flung themselves off, both full of fear and excitement, propelled forward by the belief in their idea.

This is the same notion, on a smaller, daily level. Not every day requires leaps into the abyss, but confidence in the face of the unknown is required to defy the status quo. That means that sometimes you have to take steps forward without knowing if the ground is going to rise up to meet you. Some days it will-- other days, you’ll fall.

But you can’t look down to get ahead.

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Sugar & Cloth's Ashley Rose Talks DIY, Dream Collabs, and Dedication

photo credit: Sugar & Cloth

Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth is all about serious DIY. So much so that she got to create a Sugar & Cloth color wall in Houston (see above) that has been the site of some serious 'gramming. 

One look at the website that she launched in September 2011 after leaving Marshall University where she studied Art & Design, moving to Houston and following her dreams, you'll quickly find the injection of color she's put into the blogosphere was much needed. The blogger self-admittedly takes a lot of coffee and macaroon breaks, but she's also the proof in the blog pudding that committing to an idea is sometimes the best idea of all. 

We caught up with Ashley in anticipation of Create & Cultivate ATL where she'll be joining us on panel to chat all things craft, creativity, and DIY-why not. 

Was there a project where you thought, this is impossible but I’m going to try! And it turned out?

Being a DIY blog, I have A LOT of these, haha! It’s a good mix of trying to reinvent the wheel but it either turns as: a literal pile of trash, pretty but much harder than I anticipated, or it turns out amazing and I even surprise myself!

What lessons have you learned from DIY’ing? That apply to life?

That you’ll win some, you’ll lose some, and everyone is going to have an opinion. What really counts is that you’re honest and true to yourself about the outcome, whatever it is. 

 "You’ll win some, you’ll lose some, and everyone is going to have an opinion."

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DIY is more than a craft-- it’s a choice, a frame of mind-- to do it yourself. What other parts of your life are about “doing it yourself?”

I think in general DIY is simply a frame of mind that speaks independence for whatever you’re creating, doing, or achieving. 

What parts of your life do you let go of the reigns a little bit?

Outside of work decisions, I’m actually much more go with the flow, ha! When it comes to where we eat, who drives, what our weekend plans are. I’m pretty much game for whatever as long as deadlines have been met. We definitely make it a point to spend time with friends and family each week.

When you first got started you were working on your blog full time and had a full time job. What have you learned about balance and pursuing your passion? 

It’s funny how working multiple jobs seems super exhausting to some people, but once you’ve done it, you learn really quickly how to process through what absolutely needs to get done first. It really helps you prioritize, because you essentially have no choice not to if you’re going to do two jobs well. In some ways I’d say I was even more productive with my time back then. It’s easy to get lost in little details when time allows.

What would you say to women in the same boat right now? Even as simple as how many hours is reasonable to put in?

My best advice is to say — Don’t sweat the small stuff. Whether that means not letting an unkind comment get to you, moving on from a failed DIY, or letting go of the struggle to get it all done before bedtime. It’s not worth spending your energy on worrying about things unnecessarily. 

What’s your favorite part of working in a creative field?

Always getting to dream up the next new thing!

Do you ever run out of DIY-ideas? What happens when you’re coming up empty?

I definitely struggle in A LOT of small business areas (hello, accounting and all things taxes), but running out of ideas thankfully isn’t one of them. When I do start to feel complacent with some ideas, I try to just move on to one I am excited about to get the good juju flowing again. 

When you live a Pinterest-looking lifestyle, it can be hard to keep up appearances, or have everything look curated all of the time. What are some of the BTS difficulties? 

First world problems, am I right?! Ha! It’s definitely super easy for me to get burnt out on social media for that reason, or even just have the constant feeling of keeping up with the Joneses because it’s my entire job basically. I think every online personality feels that at some point, but at the end of the day I think the most important reminder is to not think more highly of yourself than you ought to. 

Where do you see the blog world evolving? 

It’s basically a new generation of free reality TV! Or at least I keep pretty entertained by it ;)

I don’t think the blog world has hit it’s prime yet, but it’s definitely getting quickly saturated. To keep up at this point, you really have to hustle and be a forward thinker to make it a longstanding career move instead of becoming an overnight, internet one-hit-wonder. 

Dream collab?

A product line with Target or Amazon!

How important is your Instagram game? Is Snapchat part of your social strategy and how are you using it?

Instagram has become a huge part of our business. Within the last year it’s come super close to being our highest earning platform, and we’ve now started focusing a lot more on Snapchat for the sake of feeling more real. It may or may not take off like IG, but it’s a great tool for followers to see a real, everyday you without the Pinterest-esque smoke and mirrors. 

What’s the messiest room in your house/What is your favorite?

Messiest is definitely my closet! My favorite would be my bedroom, I LOVE a good Saturday sleeping in. 

"You know it’s a passion project when you’d be there regardless of your circumstances."

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What does Sugar & Cloth mean to you?

It’s an attainable place for everyday inspiration. And even if I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still be making pretty things to share there. You know it’s a passion project when you’d be there regardless of your circumstances.

 

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Why Otherwild Founder Wants to Uplift and Support Small Business Any Way She Can

photo credit: Gilda Davidian

Otherwild Founder Rachel Berks didn't set out to open a boutique shop slash graphic design studio (making her an official slashie), but when the graphic design world and a brief stint at William Morris designing presentations for fast food companies didn't align with the vision she had for her future, she shifted gears. Otherwild was born in LA in 2012 and just opened a second location in New York this past May. 

Now she's focussed less on fast and more on building community and offering an inclusive space for the LGBTQ population. It's the glue that binds Otherwild's followers together and also sets her apart as a business owner. You might recall Rachel as the unapologetic force that brought back "The Future is Female" shirt after seeing the image on HerStory's Instagram, which focusses on the herstory of lesbian imagery. She's also committed to representing the multi-dimensional and expansive queer community. 

We caught up with Rachel to talk the importance of reputation, what working with like-minded individuals means to her, and women she admires. 

What’s your background? How do you end up owner of a brick-and-mortar/graphic design studio?

I studied modern dance, printmaking and gender studies at Sarah Lawrence College, and after a brief stint as a professional dancer/waiter in NYC, I went to work with my friend Stacey Mark, who was the photo editor of NYLON Magazine. While there, I assisted in photoshoot production and contributed collage, illustration and writing. After about a year, I was recruited to join Ford Models’ newly established New York-based in-house art department in 2004, promoted to Art Director for the company’s international corporate network in 2006, and appointed Creative Director through 2011. In the fall of 2011, I followed my girlfriend, artist A.L. Steiner to Los Angeles. I imagined I would build a freelance design business out in LA. During my first couple of months there, I was very inspired by the DIY spirit of LA, and befriended my former business partner, Marisa Suarez-Orozco, who was also a graphic designer. In early 2012, we conceived of Otherwild, a hybrid retail store, that would sell work by our artist + designer friends, as well as a graphic design studio.

Can you talk a bit about how NOT getting a (series of) job(s) lead you to where you are today?

When I first landed in LA, a creative freelance agency immediately placed me at William Morris, designing PowerPoint presentations for fast food companies. I was the only woman on the team, where I had to endure misogynist conversations all day in a windowless office. I lasted about a week and a half. From there, I interviewed at a slew of production companies and ad agencies, where in one interview, I found myself defending my ability to design work that was less creative, and more appropriate for corporate clients. I freelanced for a few of these agencies, until I met Marisa and we decided to open Otherwild.

Is it important to you that female founders support each other? Why?

In the Summer of 2014, I received a random email from two female shop owners, Marlee Grace from Have Company in Grand Rapids, MI and Courtney Webb of Hey Rooster General Store in Nashville, TN, inviting me to "SHOP : KEEP - - a retreat for shop owners." It was shortly after Mari and I had parted ways and even though I didn't know anything about these women, I booked a ticket the day I got the email. The retreat was an incredible life-changing moment, where we discovered through our total transparency that we could help each other grow our businesses. Since that moment, I've tried to uplift and support small business owners as much as I possibly can. Some of my closest friends are other female and genderqueer business owners... we have a truly unique connection and understanding.

You talk about working with like-minded individuals. What mindset is that? Do you think it’s important to work with non-like-minded people sometimes?

I think taken out of context, that sounds like I'm part of an exclusive clique, which isn't the case. I'm referring to craftspeople, the handmade, feminisms, and social justice organizations. I don't want to work with racists, homophobes, misogynists, gun enthusiasts or multinational corporations, for instance.

"I don't want to work with racists, homophobes, misogynists, gun enthusiasts or multinational corporations, for instance."

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photo credit: Gilda Davidian

You’re surrounded by a pretty stellar creative squad. Who is a woman in your life who is doing something you’re proud and amazed by?

My partner A.L. Steiner is an incredible artist and activist, and her work is endlessly inspiring to me. You can see more at hellomynameissteiner.com.

Also my friend and collaborator Kelly Rakowksi, who runs the Instagram account @h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y,  mines various sources for archival lesbian imagery. Together we've been working on a clothing line that reinterprets some of these images. See more here.

Invest as little as possible-- how did that work as a business plan? 

It was really about playing it safe and working with the resources that we had. Initially, everything in the shop was brought in on consignment. The original Otherwild was down an alley on Hollywood Blvd - it was under 300 square feet and cost $500 a month. We were determined not to fail, and not being in debt was crucial to that plan. Once we felt a little more secure, we moved to a bigger space on a residential stretch of Echo Park Ave. and continued to slowly and carefully build the business. Recently, Otherwild moved once again to Vermont Ave in Los Feliz where the storefront finally has foot traffic!

To a degree you built a business on reputation-- do you think this is rare? To promise something and deliver on said promise? 

I think this is rare, but I think it is often true of small businesses. My dad is a small business owner and my grandfather was too, and I think through that lineage, I learned to build something that had integrity and generosity at it's core. I think being unapologetic in Otherwild's embrace of all things queer, feminist and small-scale shows a certain truth in who we are and what we believe in as well.

"Otherwild's embrace of all things queer, feminist and small-scale shows a certain truth in who we are and what we believe in as well."

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photo credit: Gilda Davidian

What other ways do you think you do business differently? 

Otherwild has evolved from being a retail/design studio to being a social space that hosts music, comedy, performance, readings and classes in herbalism, craft, tarot and more. I've always wanted Otherwild to be an active space. 

Additionally, Otherwild donates money from the sales of specific products to Planned Parenthood, The National Center for Transgender Equality, The Lesbian Herstory Archives and Black Lives Matter. This is an important aspect of living our politics beyond a slogan on a t-shirt.

What have you learned through the ups and downs? Breaking up with your partner, for example?

It's not easy having your own business, you basically work all the time. When you start a business, everyone always says it takes 3-5 years, and you don't want to believe that at the beginning, but it's absolutely true, and you need to be willing and able to put in the time. Breaking up with my partner felt like a tremendous setback at the time, but ultimately it was the right thing for both of us. 

Two stores-- is that something you ever imagined? Any further plans for expansion?

I had only just left NYC when I opened Otherwild, and so I always imagined that I might come back to NY and launch a NY store. Otherwild had to be born in LA, it was very much product of LA's cultural climate in that moment, but NY seems really excited to embrace us now. As of right now, the NY shop is a longterm pop-up which will be installed through March 2017. I've yet to decide what will happen after that!

Otherwild carries the work of Tuesday Bassen who just called out Zara for ripping her off.  What are your thoughts on big corporations taking advantage of small biz? And how does Otherwild work against this? 

I love Tuesday Bassen and her work, and I am excited to watch this particular situation continue to unfold. I feel like Tuesday actually has the power and possibility to set new precedents. I've always been outspoken about big corporations and their cruel treatment of artists, as well as terrible labor practices. After this latest example of IP theft, I made a personal vow to boycott multinational corporations, as wholly a possible. For me, it was not such a stretch but I recognize for some that might feel impossible. I am dedicated to supporting small businesses, artists and designers in all aspects of my life.

What do you want the legacy of Otherwild to be? 

Legacy denotes history -- or herstory as I might read it -- and I don't know what our herstory as humans will be. I just hope to provide those interested with inspiration, knowledge or objects that they love and cherish by being as conscious, kind and caring as possible, and by supporting the people who want to produce in this way. It's a continual learning process. There's book that came out in 1973 called Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics As If People Mattered by British economist E. F. Schumacher, which is the antithesis of our current ethos of growth and exploitation. Although I participate in a form of capitalist exchange, I challenge myself to figure out ways to find ethics and humanity within this model, and continually transition where necessary.

OTHERWILD LA 1768 N. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

OTHERWILD NY 37 Orchard St. Basement New York, NY 10002

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Make Your Plan, Work Your Plan: The Perfect Business Plan Checklist

via Waiting on Martha

A business plan is the heartbeat of your business, and it is what will keep it afloat over time and will save you from anything that would otherwise hinder your business or get you off track. As a wise woman once said, “make your plan, work your plan.”

Thanks to our friend Tina Wells, Founder & CEO of the award winning Buzz Marketing Group, she has gifted us with the questions you need to ask yourself when creating your business plan to ensure that you’re on the right track and that your plan passes the test and answers all of the questions in this week’s download.

Enter your name and email to get access to the business plan checklist and be on your way to create the best business plan tailored for your business’ success.

Boobs and Business: Why the Great Breastfeeding Debate Isn't a Debate At All

photo credit: El Camino Travel 

In this post we hear both from media intern Briana Pearl (who is also a mom) and CEO of El Camino Travel, Katalina Mayorga (who is not) on the subject of breastfeeding in the workplace and what it means to the work environment for the newest crop of young female professionals in the workforce. 

BRIANA'S PERSPECTIVE

When my son turned two weeks old, I decided it was the perfect time to start an internship with El Camino.

Actually, it went like this: I’d been excited about the possibility of working for El Camino for several months. I was already taking time off from the long days and heavy equipment involved in running my videography business. I learned from my first kid that having an outlet for creativity and problem-solving during the bleary, blissful early days with a newborn is key for me to maintain my sanity and my identity outside of “mom.” So when the opportunity to work part time from home for El Camino arrived, I took it.

"Having an outlet for creativity and problem-solving during the bleary, blissful early days with a newborn is key."

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Since January, I’ve been completing my tasks for El Camino during the holes in my schedule. When baby is awake at 3am, instead of bemoaning the lack of sleep, I’ve enjoyed the snuggle time and the opportunity to review an email. When he sleeps during the day, I write blog posts from my couch. When we hop on Google hangout for a cross-country team meeting, I can stealthily stay in my PJs from the waist down. Much of my time isn’t my own, but I’ve learned how to utilize every precious quiet, alone moment I have. I type at an impressive speed with one hand, and I help projects leap forward when I’ve got ten minutes free. I instantly slide from mom mode or play mode into work mode, and I bring my unique perspective to a team that values new ideas, distinct backgrounds, and a mix of voices. 

During one afternoon filled with El Camino-related phone meetings, my husband/partner-in-child-wrangling peeked into my room with a hungry baby in his arms. I had another hour left of topics to discuss with Katalina. I could either tell Kata I’d have to call her back or make my hungry baby wait it out. 

Work or kids? 

While it might seem like I have to choose one or the other, the answer is: both. I told Katalina I needed a moment to readjust. I flipped our call to speakerphone, moved my laptop to one side to continue taking notes, and started feeding my baby. It wasn’t a big deal.

Breastfeeding so often is an act deemed inappropriate for women out in public just doing their everyday mom thing. Breastfeeding in a professional context is something I haven’t even heard of. I’m grateful that the El Camino work culture embraces my mom status and gives me the space to say something like, “Hey, my kid is hungry. Give me thirty seconds to get him in place, and then we’ll continue brainstorming marketing strategies.”

What would happen if more bosses (and employees!) embraced moms in the professional world as empathetic, power multi-taskers who can accomplish anything in an hour, even if that means a baby must make an occasional appearance? 

I’m a busy, diaper-changing mom. I also possess valuable skills, in spite of my mom status and because of it. Though sometimes the El Camino team and I must bear the momentary interruptions and slight inconveniences that all young children generate, we also get to utilize a partnership that wouldn't have been possible if either of us couldn’t make space for motherhood and professional expertise to coexist.

"I’m a busy, diaper-changing mom. I also possess valuable skills, in spite of my mom status and because of it."

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KATALINA'S PERSPECTIVE

El Camino is an unconventional business environment in several ways. We are small and scrappy, we travel a lot, and we have team members who are located thousands of miles a way. We are a young team that embraces virtual collaboration and does not fully accept the typical 9-5 work schedule as the best schedule that leads to the most productivity. The El Camino office needs not to always be defined by the same set of four walls. One day Joshua Tree may play host to our office or another day Bogota, Colombia. The standard conventions of what is deemed an appropriate work environment is not of interest to us, as it is not of interest to much of our millennial generation. If you are concerned about the the happiness of your employees than you need to take this seriously as an employer. 74% want flexible work schedules and 84% say that helping to make a positive difference in the world is more important than professional recognition. We do not measure our happiness by the same yardstick as our parents’ generation. 

"We do not measure our happiness by the same yardstick as our parents’ generation."

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Furthermore, our team is mainly comprised by a strong squad of millennial female professionals who are also approaching societal norms such as motherhood, relationships, and professionalism with a new lens. Just like male professionals have been able to do for several decades, we are eager to do and “have it all,” but the reality is that most young female professionals are reconsidering motherhood all together because of the lack of organizational support. In fact, only 42 percent of women graduating from the Wharton School of Business in 2012 said they planned to have children, compared to 78 percent in 1992 for these reasons. 

I do not have kids, but we do have team members that are mothers or are planning to have kids in the future. That in no way should hinder their ability to be both the ambitious professionals and good mothers they strive to be. I have had countless discussions with my female friends about the many anxieties connected to these two topics. It should not have to be a choice, it should be a duality that can happily coexist. We are frequently told that it is one or the other and as a women it is hard to balance both. It is a choice we have to deal with that our male counterparts often do not even have to think twice about. 

One clear example of this is with breastfeeding in the work place. 

The story is pretty simple. I was on a call, with Briana our brilliant media intern/resident mama and we had a lot to get through. There was a whimpering baby in the background, and she asked for a few seconds to adjust. Within minutes the baby was on the boob and cooing and sucking away. Though you could hear the baby eating, it didn’t mean we couldn't power through our agenda. It was not a distraction, but instead a natural act that seamlessly fit into the rest of our call. We just needed a few seconds to accommodate and we were immediately back on track.

"Though you could hear the baby eating, it didn’t mean we couldn't power through our agenda."

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Once we hung up, I had a moment of strong feminist pride. A biological need that has unnecessarily become a contentious issue in the workplace really was not a big deal or inconvenience. That phone call provided a peak into what could become the new normal for female professionals and I got excited imagining how much life and work would be easier for so many women if moments like this were more frequently accepted. The reality is that the typical workplace norms are the same that have been around for decades. They are the same norms that have accommodated a workplace that has been dominated by men (and fathers) in leadership positions who have not had to face the same hurdles as working mothers. That face of leadership is clearly changing and with that we need to reconsider and redevelop the constructs of what is considered normal in the workplace. We need to adjust more and more to leadership that has two boobs and sometimes those boobs got to feed a hungry baby whether there is a team meeting or not. 

I am interested in hearing from all of you. As we grow our business, the work environment we are providing all our colleagues is of high importance. As a mother or female professional that would like to have kids, what do you wish was a reality in the your work environment so the choices often made between motherhood and career did not have to seem so stressful? What do you want to see more of? Less of? How can more workplaces empower their employees who are also mothers?  

Katalina is the CEO and founder of El Camino Travel. El Camino was featured in AFAR in their 2015 Vanguard Issue under, "Surprise Is the New Luxury" category, as well as Mashable, the Guardian, Marie Claire and Forbes for their innovative approach to travel. El Camino works closely with local tastemakers to curate off-beat experiences for small groups of people to unique locations. The trips all come with a creative photographer in tow, so that their travelers can thoroughly enjoy their experiences while ensuring that their memories are captured and that they will have great social media content. In addition, a percentage of profits are donated to a local social entrepreneur working to better his or her country.

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Find Out How This Cookie Maven Turned a Teenage Recipe Into a Million Dollar Business

Got an appetite for hearing from the leading boss women that are calling the shots in the culinary world? Get ready to grub hard on our new#CreateCultivate series: Counter Culture, where we'll be talking to prominent women in the food industry about good eats, food trends, and making it in the cutting edge cooking world. 

Don't put a fork in it, because we're not close to done.

Photo credit: Moriah Ziman 

Someone once asked Courtney Cowan, founder of Milk Jar Cookies what her secret ingredient was. Her answer?

"The salt from my tears," she joked. 

But it's a little more complicated than that. "The context of that statement was that, as I was preparing to open, my dad was diagnosed with lymphoma and shortly thereafter, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. So, between the exhaustion and stress of opening the shop, keeping the train moving forward, and worrying about them, it was a pretty tough time that was definitely accompanied by some tears." 

She had also left her job in the television industry, deciding to put her whole heart, soul, and focus into Milk Jar Cookies. 

"I’m a fighter for whom failure isn’t an option, so even though I had to dig deep at times, the commitment to make it work never escaped me." 

"I’m a fighter for whom failure isn’t an option."

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Today she is casual, (dare we say?) relaxed even. "Do you think I should put shoes on?" she asks when we arrive to shoot. There are donuts waiting and a batch of fresh cookies. It's like walking into your favorite aunt's home. The one who tells you bad jokes while baking up a storm. The one you have real talk with. And we do. We talk about 20-hour days and pivotal business moments. We talk about the decision to put off having kids. We talk about the reality of writing a business plan when you have no idea how to write said plan. And we talk about her beginnings. 

"When I was a kid— my mom taught me the Tollhouse Recipe," she explains. "I found myself making cookie dough anytime I could-- like every Friday night."  It was in a suburb of Indiana during her teens that she started futzing with that recipe, landing on what become the base for her famous Milk Jar Chocolate Chip cookies. Her tried-and-true-and-tested by all friends and family recipe. Everyone knew, no matter the occasion, Courtney was going to show up with cookies. 

It's a trait that followed her to LA and her job as a post-production supervisor in one-hour TV dramas. Per her M.O. she was bringing cookies into work, leaving them in the kitchen, and people kept mistaking them for bakery purchased cookies. At that point she was still relying on her trusty go-to chocolate chip recipe. Milk Jar now bakes 15 flavors daily. 

In 2005 she stared an online cookie company (originally named Sweet Cheeks Cookies), hustling on the the side while she worked full-time in TV production. For seven years she shifted back and forth between cookies and her day job, using industry hiatus' between shows to her benefit. 

In 2012 while laid up after a back surgery she realized she could either go back to TV or she could focus on baking full time. During the 8 weeks she wrote her business plan. She committed. 

"I went through probably twenty iterations of a business plan," she says. "I didn't know where to start." 

"I had a really hard time was putting into words why I wanted to do it and why I felt it was important. It’s just cookies. But my whole goal was to provide more than just cookies- I knew the experience was as important as the cookies themselves."

She says a resource that was immensely helpful was the Small Business Administration located in Glendale. "They have a small business development center— and it’s free," she says. "They have seminars and counselors you can have one-on-one meetings with and their connections were critical in helping connect us to a bank that would give us a small business loan." 

It was on December 4, 2012 -- which, she points out, happens to be National Cookie Day— is the day they got approved for the loan.  January 1, 2013 they moved into what would become the Milk Jar Cookie flagship-- "a former Quiznos," says Courtney, "that left everything. We had a Quiznos party the night we got the keys and started tearing everything off the walls. We sold everything," she says, "down to the meat slicer." 

Today that shop keeps her immensely busy, but she wouldn't have it any other way. "As crazy as it sounds" she says, "my favorite time to bake is extremely early in the morning. I thrive on the busy times that require me to be at the shop at 3:30am, jamming to some music, and doing my thing. My life will never be as simple as it was before I opened the doors of Milk Jar Cookies, so those mornings when it’s just me and my cookies are special to me and remind me why I love this."

"I thrive on the busy times that require me to be at the shop at 3:30am, jamming to some music."

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She says it's a "cool combo" of remembering the simplicity of the days when cookies were still a hobby and relishing in how far she's come. How far she's come currently does not include kids, which, was a conscious decision she made with husband Adam when they first launched. He also worked in television (to which he has returned) and took time off to get the business up and running. "It was a solid year and a half where we worked together— and we talked about nothing but the shop. World events and then cookies." 

“I’ve never worked so hard in my life," she says. "Every book says 'be ready for 12-hour days,' but we’re talking 20-hour days.” But it was something she knew she had to do. "I didn’t know if I would ever get around to doing it if I had kids. You’re not eating, not sleeping, you’re worrying all the time-- this is my baby."

Her life mantra is "if you want it make it happen." (See the chalkboard in her kitchen nook.)  

"If you want it, make it happen."

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Next steps for making it happen for MJC is preparing for growth beyond 5466 Wilshire. They've surpassed $2million in sales in less than three years. They are focussing on shipping and delivery "which," she notes "is in high demand and requires the least amount of additional overhead." They are also currently overhauling their website to make it more user-friendly and streamline the process on their end. 

And Courtney says, "I’ve begun laying the ground work for an additional baking space, which is very exciting and a new challenge to tackle."

Upcoming challenges will include the month of December. Not surprisingly the holidays are their busiest time and they joke that "Winter is coming..." Last December was Milk Jar Cookies' biggest month to date. In one day they "baked, packaged, and delivered over 3,500 cookies. It’s intense," she says, "but truly so much fun." They've also shown 20% growth in sales every month, compared to that same month the year before. 

Despite growth it's vital to Courtney that "Milk Jar magic is in each cookie and every interaction."

She seems to have nailed that recipe. 

Milk Jar Cookies is located at 5466 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

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C&C Classifieds Nº11: Your New Job Is Calling You

August is here, summer is almost over, and opportunity is a'knockin. Are you going to answer it's call?

We've got a fresh new batch of job listings to start off the month right with Microsoft, TOMS Shoes, TED, Buzzfeed, The NY Times, and many others to give you a head start on your job hunt this month.

Just enter your name and email to see the full list below!

If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.

Instagram Just Released Snapchat-Like Feature, But Here’s Why You’ll Use It

Gather 'round, it's story time kids. 

This morning Instagram introduced Instagram Stories, a new feature that lets you share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile. As you share multiple photos and videos, they appear together in a slideshow format: your story.

In a blog post the app announced, "With Instagram Stories, you don’t have to worry about over-posting. Instead, you can share as much as you want throughout the day — with as much creativity as you want. You can bring your story to life in new ways with text and drawing tools. The photos and videos will disappear after 24 hours and won’t appear on your profile grid or in feed."

Instagram has long been the "curated" social media. It's where users, brands, and influencers give the public a highlight reel of their life. No more. TechCrunch scored an interview with IG CEO Kevin Systrom who admitted to publication, “They deserve all the credit,” while insisting, “This isn’t about who invented something. This is about a format, and how you take it to a network and put your own spin on it.”

Stories is the spot where you can upload all of the stuff that isn't great for your grid-- because from a brand and gaining follower perspective we've heard over and over again how important it is to "get your grid right." 

With Stories you can doodle, draw, and like Snapchat, they'll disappear after 24-hours. 

At the top of your feed there will be a bar featuring stories from your best friends and favorite accounts. When the user adds something new to their story the profile will have a colorful ring around it. To see said story you tap the profile photo. 

The feature follows the privacy settings on your account. You can also hide Stories from followers you don't want checking in. 

According to the post, "Instagram has always been a place to share the moments you want to remember. Now you can share your highlights and everything in between, too."

It also solves the "too many apps, NO MORE!" crisis that many people have expressed anxiety over. Instagram Stories is the first useful attempt to consolidate the overwhelm of social. Clone or not, people will use it simply out of convenience. Snapchat showed that people wanted more than a highlight reel-- IG followed the crowd. 

"Instagram Stories is the first useful attempt to consolidate the overwhelm of social." 

Tweet this. 

It will also prove useful for brands hiring influencers for campaigns to engage followers in BTS footage or event photos. Bloggers and influencers wont have to switch back-and-forth between apps and they'll be able to share moments on their IG without overcrowding the feed. 

However, unlike regular posts there are no likes or public comments, so for the time being it might be difficult to measure engagement. But that's not going to stop the social platform's 500 million users from jumping on board. 

Instagram Stories will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks on iOS and Android. Your move Evan Spiegel.

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Flatlay The Right Way with Bar III

Behind every outfit flatlay, there is a simple science to follow to make it the best styled flatlay you can create. More often that not, flatlays either include WAY TOO MANY OBJECTS, objects aren’t placed symmetrically or have a rhythm, have too many colors going on, or just looks like a closet threw up.

Just in the way you would get yourself Instagram ready for a photo, give the same love to your clothes when styling a flatlay. We took a few styling tips that we’ve learned from Paola Alberdi of Blank Itinerary and Bar III’s Instagram feed, that will amp up your flatlay game 100%.

STYLE YOUR OUTFIT AND SET THE THEME.

Before you start styling your flatlay, first style your outfit. Once you have your whole ensemble ready and have set what the theme it is that you want for your outfit. Is it a daytime outfit, or something a little more elegant? Do you want to stick to two or three colors to give your outfit a cool feel, or so do you want to show that it’s a perfect summertime outfit?

Whatever theme you choose, keep that in mind and start framing your flatlay around that.

CHOOSE A PLAIN CLEAN BACKGROUND.

TGIF
Dress: Bar III Three-Quarter-Sleeve Split-Neck Shift Dress
Shoes: Bar III Wiley Cutout Ankle Booties

You already have your outfit set, so the second most important factor is your background. You want to make sure that it’s clean, bright, and won’t distract your flatlay with the background. It’s best to stay away from pattern backgrounds, so if possible, use a plain background, a wood or concrete floor, or even a marble top.

DECOR & ACCESSORIZE.

Just because you’re styling a clothes flatlay, it doesn’t mean that you have to decorate your flaylay with just clothes and accessories. Remember to stick to the theme of your flatlay and decorate with pieces that bring out certain colors in the flatlay, and complete the look.

For this look, which is a daytime office piece perfect for a client meeting, we added a planner to bring out the blue hues of the heels, along with some blue marble coasters because #whynot.

Client Meeting
Top: Bar III Lace Fringe Crop Top
Bottoms: Bar III Culotte Pants
Shoes: Bar III Suede Pumps

STYLE TO FRAME YOUR INSTAGRAM FEED

Since most flatlays are restricted to squares and portrait frames to fit your Instagram feed, feel free to play around with the space and fold your clothes in a way that still show how the outfit will look. Play with the shapes of the clothes and set it up like a Tetris block so everything fits on a 4x4 or 4x6 frame.

If your outfit is only a dress or jumper with shoes, feel free to add more props and accessories to fill in space to the frame to still make it look balanced. However, make sure to not overload your flatylay with too many props any products. You always want to make sure there’s a safe amount of space that doesn’t leave the flatlay looking too busy and chaotic.

For example, this outfit and shoes are all black, so don’t be afraid to pop in one prop that sticks to the theme and has a pop of color that will make the look even more dynamic.

Cocktails After Work
Jumpsuit: Halter-Top Wide-Leg Jumpsuit
Shoes: Hillary Ankle-Strap Asymmetrical Dress Sandals

USE NATURAL LIGHTING & THE OVERHEAD SHOT

For the perfect shot, always use daylight natural lighting if the photography Sun Gods allow. Make sure that’s the lighting isn’t too blown out, and if you do decide to use artificial lighting, try to use other sources of light than than the flash from your phone.

Also, always make sure to get an overhead shot.  For a flatlay, you want to make sure that every piece is visible from one POV, so if you’re doing an angle, it might obstruct from the details of other pieces within the shot.

Now you’re ready to style and shoot your flatlay! If you have any other tips, or have used these tips for your own flatlay, let us know below!

Tina Wells Started a Company in Her Teens, Today It's an Award-Winning Agency

When you start your company at 16, there’s a decent chance you won't be doing the same thing by the time you graduate high school, let alone two decades later. Yet Tina Wells, founder of Buzz Marketing Group, defied that decent chance and remains CEO, founder and captain of the marketing company she started in her teens.

It wasn’t her intention. She didn’t set out to run a company. Rather, the goal was to be a fashion writer, ideally at a Hearst publication. “Seventeen was the dream,” she says.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d run a company or that twenty years later I’d be doing the same thing.” Like the start of many companies, her foray into marketing came from a place a need. As a fashion and beauty loving teen with five younger siblings she knew her parents weren't going to be able to buy her the newest trends. "My parents," she says, "were working their butts off to get us into private school and I knew I needed to come up with a way to make money. That's all it was. I figured out that I could review product and then wear it." 

It is a resourcefulness that followed her through high school graduation, into college, and helped her grow BuzzMG's buzzSpotters-- a network of trendspotters that was cast to be a research network. It's a group of those in-the-know "and now and always looking around the next corner."  In the beginning the buzzSpotters consisted of Tina and her ten friends.  “I remember when we got to 200 people I thought it was too much," she says. There are now 37,000 people worldwide. "Consumers know what they want and want to be part of the process," she says. “That’s something I recognized as a 16 year old. I knew that if my friends and I wanted to be a part of the process of a company making something for us, then other people had to want it too."

"Consumers know what they want and want to be part of the process."

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It's a thought that has paid off. It was during Tina's freshman year at Hood University when someone said to her, “I just paid someone $25,000 to do market research and what you’ve done is ten times better.”

It was perfect timing. When this conversation occurred Tina was taking an Intro to Business class with the head of the Business Department. She went to visit that professor during office hours and told her what she’d been up to the last two years. That professor told Tina to take independent study with her to figure out how to make it a viable business. She did. “That was the launch pad,” she says. “It wasn’t me saying, ‘I have a great idea for a business,’ rather I was being told I was doing something really interesting that could be a business.”

Today, Buzz Marketing Group is an award-winning media communications agency that focuses on Millennials, moms, and multicultural consumers. They deliver data and strategies that drive the marketing approach for clients. “I’ve been doing this so long,” Tina says, “that back when I started it was youth marketing. There weren’t Millennials and there certainly wasn’t the idea of Millennial marketing.”

"So long," gives Tina and her team a certain edge-- even though the technologic landscape around her has moved seismically. “I still reference the business plan I developed with my professor 18 years ago,” she explains. In addition to running her company Tina is the current Academic Director of Wharton's Leadership in the Business World program and is teaching a summer program based on the principles set forth in that business plan. "The basics of building a business are still the same." she says. Adding, "You still need to answer those ten questions every business owner has to answer." (Check back, we'll be sharing those next week!)  

What has changed are the tools. She jokes that if she had launched her business now she would have scaled in three months “Technology tools empower us to be better at our jobs every day.” It's technology that allows Buzz to survey people in their network better and provide better results for clients. 

“Technology has the ability to do the unbelievable, but my business is built in a very brick-and-mortar way," a foundation she insists has the ability to withstand any tech wave or crunch. "I realized early on build a great business and let the tools empower you. But don’t be so focussed on creating a business for a particular tool."

"Build a great business and let the tools empower you."

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BuzzMG is built in a way that's evergreen-- they are, says Tina, "research first, not creative first, and we're very honest with our clients about that." They develop marketing strategies based on data from consumers of all ages and internally develop original research for the client. "We’ll go to our network of buzzSpotters, conduct an internal survey, and go back to the client with an audit of where their brand is, where it need to be, and what we will do to get to achieve that goal.”

"Because we’re research driven we never go into any situation assuming how a conversation is going to go." It also helps Buzz create campaigns that are likewise evergreen. One of the things Buzz is known for are their lists. They help build the inspiring Levo100 List, which was first released in 2015 and is still being shared today. They worked with American Eagle Outfitters on the aerie beauty and body line, leveraging their proprietary database of influencers to create and educate a curated in-market ambassador program of over 150 ambassadors in every state with an aerie store. Upon re-launch, aerie performed 500% better than projected, generating over $250 million in sales for AE. 

It’s an approach Tina believes (and has the results to prove it) gives her a great advantage because her team is always looking at what the consumer will tell them. "We make decisions by looking at all sides. Culture is changing, it’s moving so quickly-- how we’ve survived for twenty years is by sticking to the solid principles of marketing."

“I never want to get caught in hype.” she says. “There are people who say 'this is dead,' 'that is dead,' 'blogging is dead', 'influencer is dead.' 'No.' I’ve said to clients, 'Print is not dead, bad print is dead.' And it should be."

"Print is not dead, bad print is dead. And it should be."

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“A great brand is always a great brand," she says. "It’s just the tools that change.”

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Find Out How This Company Is Making It Easier Than Ever to Get Hired

Photo credit: 9 to 5 Chic 

Getting and giving references is a pain. When you need them the most, you anxiously wait for a prospective employer, a recruiter or even a temp agency to get them from your former employers. And you hope your former employers remember you and are in a good mood when they are grading your past performance. Thoughts run through your head like "Will s/he remember me and the work I did?" 

On the flip side, your former employer may scratch their head and try hard to remember just exactly all the things you did. So, where does that leave you? Not always in the best place. You may have worked your tail off for a supervisor who left that company before you asked them for a reference.

The whole process is prehistoric. Until now. 

LA-based recruiters Emily and Natalie Levine have created Workgrades, an online platform designed to revolutionize the reference checking and giving process.

"Checking references remains an extremely outdated process: people playing phone tag to get in touch with previous employers, references are being checked at the end of an interview process rather than the beginning, and each and every time someone leaves a job" they explain, "their references are being contacted over and over again."

The duo created Workgrades to put the reference checking process in the candidate’s hands.

The way it works is simple: 

According the Emily and Natalie they've "made it easy for you to reach out to past employers, verify your work history, and rack up those recommendations." All you have to do is fill out the details of a job you’ve had and click send. "Then your former supervisor can verify that information and even add a reference." 

No longer will you need to go back to the same employer over and over again. "If you end up applying for a different job, there's no need to go back and bother your old bosses again. You can save your references and share them with whomever you choose, whenever you choose."

They also acknowledge that "candidates with the best and most transparent resumes and references tend to get hired first." And that "every temporary employee deserves to collect references for assignments well done."

"Candidates with the best and most transparent resumes and references tend to get hired first."

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They say there is a fast, growing trend among temporaries and freelancers to collect routine evaluations about their work performance.  It helps build their resumes and stand out from the crowd.

Even for full time candidates, references are an oft overlooked and neglected part of the hiring process. Applicants use the same three people over and over again and they don't always think through who they are using. But references can make or break you landing the position. 

A good reference, like a good contact, is invaluable-- especially if it is coming from a person or a company your prospective employer respects. But for job-hoppers or those who stick around in one position for extended periods of time, it's hard to remember the small details that made you a great employee. "No more repetitive calls about someone who worked for you 10 years ago.  No more verifications on the same candidate you met last year," Emily and Natalie say. "You might not remember the guy or gal who temped for you last year, but they remember you and they need your reference."

So Workgrades is beneficial to both sides. "Shouldn’t you be able to give references for a former employee’s work when the work they did is fresh in your mind? Imagine being able to give references once – and being done," Emily and Natalie ask. It also provides reference givers the ability to "take their time and write a reference at their pace, instead of simply getting a call from a prospective employer. Imagine applying for a job with your references and recommendations at your fingertips?"

Talk about a reference upgrade. 

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Five Ways to Make Your Nonprofit Brand Stand Out

by: Julie Cottineau

The world of non-profit marketing has become much more challenging than it ever was. No longer is competition coming from other established non-profit organizations; now, it’s also from individual fundraising resources like Gofundme.com pages and requests on Facebook from friends for support in cause-related marathons, walkathons, etc. In some ways, social media has made it easier for your organization to connect with potential supporters; yet, on the other hand, it’s amplified the noise in the category, making it harder to get noticed and connect.

How can you break through the clutter and away from the “me-too” marketing to get the vital resources your cause needs and deserves?

It starts with better branding. And by brand, I don’t mean a more colorful logo or a catchy slogan. I mean the fundamental story your organization is telling – who you serve, what your promise is, and how you’re different — what I like to call your TWIST.

Here are a few tips you can implement right away for stronger non-profit branding.

1. YOUR BRAND IS THE EXPERIENCE YOU CREATE 

Branding has become a buzzword and one of the most overused and least understood terms in marketing lexicon. Many people tend to limit the definition of brand to the logo, name, and website. These are important elements, but the real value of a brand is the experience you create. How you make people feel. It’s this relationship that creates long-term brand ambassadors as they rave about you to friends and family, and even strangers, on social media. How can you provide a better experience to your community? Not just an easier way to donate, but in all aspects of the brand journey. When I was VP of Brand for Virgin, we didn’t just think about the time in the air as the Virgin airline journey. We thought about the whole continuum. From when someone was considering a trip, all the way to when they got home and were telling their friends about the wonderful experience. Where does your brand journey begin and end? And how can you keep your organization top of mind and engage your stakeholders in between core events? Let your brand ambassadors be part of your ongoing story.

"Branding has become a buzzword and one of the most overused and least understood terms in marketing lexicon."

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This could mean providing regular opportunities on social media for them to share their own experiences related to your cause. It could also mean inviting some of your more loyal members in to create the next chapter of your story. What do they hope for the future? What do they love about your brand experience, and what do they wish could be different or better?

2. BRAND BLINDERS GET IN THE WAY. TAKE THEM OFF! 

If you printed out the websites of your organization and other non-profits in your sector and covered up the names and logos, could you tell who was who? The answer is probably not. That’s because many non-profits spend too much time trying to look “legitimate” that they end up using the same words and imagery as everyone else. The problem with this is your important message won’t cut through. Take off those blinders and question the “givens” in your category. Look for outside expertise and new perspectives whenever possible.

3. LOOK BEYOND YOUR CATEGORY AND TWIST FOR INSPIRATION

How do you create a brand that has tangible value, is authentic, and stands out? How do you TWIST? It starts with looking at your story from new angles. Cast aside the do’s and don’ts, colors and imagery and so-called best practices of other non-profits in and out of your sector; find fresh ideas by using an out-of-category perspective.

Think of brands that you love in all areas of your life and learn how to use these brands to inform and influence your own branding strategy and execution. Get inspired by a brand like Apple with its empowering Genius Bar, or Starbucks with its focus on customization, or Amazon, who helps customers with suggestions for additional products. How can your non-profit take these lessons and TWIST them for a stronger, more distinctive brand experience? For example, think about the fun moment when you open a Snapple and look under the cap. What kind of inspiring and unexpected message could you include in the flap of your fund-raising mailers that could create a moment of surprise, delight and connection?

4. USE YOUR BRAND AS A DECISION MAKING FILTER 

I’ve worked with several large non-profits and one thing I’ve noticed is that many organizations, in an effort to please everyone, take on too many initiatives. Their websites become overwhelming with a hodge-podge of programs and messages and it's difficult to determine what they really stand for. Brand building is not easy. Many organizations have great ideas, but what will make you successful is your ability to bring your idea to life, into the communities you wish to serve. Identifying your brand TWIST can help you say yes to the right opportunities and stay focussed. But just as important, it can also help you say no when necessary to ideas that distract from your core resources and cloud your message. 

5. MAKE SURE THE ORGANIZATION "WALKS THE TALK" OF THE BRAND

A clear brand TWIST is also critical for internal alignment and guiding behaviors. Writing and sharing your TWIST within your organization helps ensure everyone from the Executive Director to the part-time helper is presenting a unified vision of the brand. Your employees and volunteers should be able to answer the question, “What does your organization do?” highlighting your unique TWIST. Make the brand story part of the on-boarding of everyone who is a key resource for the organization, including staff, volunteers, and key partners.

"Make the brand story part of the on-boarding of everyone who is a key resource for the organization."

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One of my Brand School graduates makes brand a part of their weekly staff meetings. He repeats the core brand promise and values and leads an interactive discussion on how each individual is living the brand promise in their specific role and what kind of actions they should stop or start doing to make sure their actions, and not just their words, are bringing this promise to life. Your brand promise is not something that should be sitting on a plaque in a conference room. It should be felt in every interaction and every brand touch point. 

A strong brand can be a non-profit’s secret weapon. It can help you make the most of limited resources and share your story more effectively with those who can help make your mission a reality. 

Julie Cottineau is the bestselling author of Twist: How Fresh Perspectives Build Breakthrough Brands, founder and CEO of BrandTwist, and creator of Brand School Online, an actionable branding class for entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profits. She is the former Vice President of brand for Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and served in executive positions at Interbrand and Grey Global. She has taught integrated marketing communications at Columbia and Cornell universities, and is a frequent commentator on brand strategy and innovation in top business media.

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Women Report Needing Half as Much as Men to Launch Business

Photo credit: Sarah Natasha 

What could you do with 10k?

If you’re a woman, you could start a business.

According to a report released by U.S. version of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, an annual survey that tracks entrepreneurial activity worldwide, female entrepreneurs in the U.S. reported needing only half as much as their male counterparts to start a new business. 

In 2015, entrepreneurs needed a median level of $17,500 to start their businesses, and financed 57 percent of funding needs themselves.

Women reported needing half as much funding to start companies as men -- $10,000 and $20,000 respectively -- suggesting that women felt they could accomplish what they needed with fewer resources, or that they simply have fewer resources to apply to their businesses. 

"Women felt they could accomplish what they needed with fewer resources."

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“Globalization, changes in technology, and social awareness have provided an impetus to develop capital flows from diverse sources,” said Babson College Professor of Entrepreneurship Donna Kelley, the GEM Report’s lead author. “Startup activity benefits from widespread recognition of the role entrepreneurship plays in increasing employment and improving the economic health of the nation.”

The findings align with the latest survey on business ownership by the Census Bureau, which found that 42.9 percent of female business owners reported using less than $10,000 to start their ventures, compared with just 38.4 percent of men. The Census report also found that 12.1 percent of men who owned businesses said they needed at least $50,000 to launch their companies, more than double the 5.5 percent of women who reported needing at least that much.

The GEM study also found that nationwide, there are more than 60 percent more men than women entrepreneurs. California and Florida have male rates equal to or greater than the overall U.S. level. New York and Ohio show an equal mix of both men and women engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Texas is close to equal and also has the highest rate of women entrepreneurs. 

So, women can do more with less? And Texas female entrepreneurs are kicking-ass? Good up. 

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Meet The Mentors: #CreateCultivateATL

As we’re gearing up for Create & Cultivate ATL this October, we’d like to introduce you to the amazing women that will part of our mentor sessions this fall.

Our mentor sessions are perfect for those of you who are looking for advice on how to manage your blog or business from some of the best female entrepreneurs in the digital space today.

If you're wondering what mentor is the best fit for you, check out of the ladies below that will be sitting down with you this October. Also, if you haven't gotten your ticket yet, what are you waiting for? Get your ticket now here.

Stay tuned as we add more mentors to our lineup too!

Nicolette Mason, Creator of NicoletteMason.com

Best for: Social Media, Blogging, Writing, Strategic Partnerships

Nicolette is a Los Angeles native who lives and works in NYC & LA . She is a freelance creative consultant, contributing editor at Marie Claire, and pens her blog nicolettemason.com, where she shares personal style snaps, travel, and the many things she loves.

Since launching her blog and graduating from Parsons School of Design, she’s contributed to dozens of publications including Marie Claire, Vogue Italia, Brooklyn Magazine, The L Magazine, Refinery29, Glamour Italy, and more, and has partnered with brands like ModCloth and Addition Elle, where she has a cocktail dress collection launching this spring, to design collections. She has also partnered with Target on the heralded launch of their plus-size brand, Ava & Viv.

Maxie McCoy, Creator of MaxieMcCoy.com

Best for: Life Coaching, Soul Searching, Career Development

An inspiration luminary, Maxie’s work is a new framework for using inspiration to create a life you’re jazzed to be living. It’s an experience that will put inspiration in your driver’s seat and shine a spotlight on your escape route from mediocrity. Her website provides weekly soul-busting writings, videos, and more inspiration than you know what to do with.

Maxie has also written for the Create & Cultivate blog and you can find her pieces here:

Professional Opinion: Maxie McCoy on Cultivating Inspiration
Professional Opinion: Maxie McCoy on When -and How-To Take a Sabbatical
Professional Opinion: How to Take a Leap of Faith in Your Career
Screw the Cue Cards: 5 Tips for Mastering a Live Audience
Don’t be a Bore: 4 Ways To Engage Your Audience in a Meaningful Wa

Jessy Fofana, Founder of LaRue PR

Best for: PR, Marketing, Social Media

Jessy Fofana is our go-to for all things PR. With her PR agency LaRue PR, she has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to utilizing PR to strategically grow brands and get them on the right radar. Not only that, she is our seasoned PR correspondent for the Create & Cultivate blog.

Jessy founded LaRue PR over seven years ago after successfully directing public relations initiatives for an impressive list of well-known fashion, lifestyle and cosmetics brands and retailers.  She brings a unique perspective of understanding what every player in the PR game needs.  Having worked in magazine publishing, she knows what editors are looking for, and as the co-creator of Femme Arsenal, an indie cosmetic brand, she understands what business owners need to grow to the next level. Get her advice in-person at Create & Cultivate Atlanta!

Mandy Kellogg Rye, Founder and Creative Director of Waiting On Martha

Best for: Blogging, Entrepreneurship, Creative Directing

It all started with a blog and a desire to unite all of the things Mandy loves the most in one place. From how-tos for setting the perfect table and custom crafted cocktails, to what Mandy’s wearing and the beloved “currently coveting” roundup, a glimpse of what’s on her ever-expanding want list, readers know that when they’re in need of a little inspiration, Mandy is just a click away.

Soon after the blog took off and Mandy could no longer keep up with the “where can I buy that?” requests, she decided it was high time to expand the brand. With that, the Waiting On Martha shop was born. On any given shopping day, you can find a variety of products spanning the home décor, tabletop, entertaining, paper, gift, men’s, women’s, kids and even pet categories.

 

Courtney Kerr, Founder of Kerrently.com and TV & Radio Personality

Best for: Blogging, Strategic Partnerships

Courtney’s life took an interesting turn when she was cast on Bravo’s 2011 docudrama, “Most Eligible Dallas,” which eventually led to a 2013 spinoff show, “Courtney Loves Dallas.” Female viewers were eager to know everything about Courtney’s wardrobe, which was her lightbulb moment to leave her longtime, successful career as a retail shopgirl and venture into the world of style blogging. For two years, Dallas woke up to her every morning on the panel of opinionated women on KTXD’s 2-hour morning show,  “The Broadcast.” In 2014, CBS Radio also scooped up Courtney to co-host afternoon drive show, “UNcorked with Leigh Ann & Courtney Kerr,” which airs on their Dallas hot adult contemporary station, 103.7 KVIL. In January of 2016, “UNcorked” went nationally syndicated and began as a weekly online podcast for Play.It.

After 5 years of juggling it all & going 100mph in designer heels, Courtney recognized that it was time to elevate “What Courtney Wore” into a online magazine, appropriately named “KERRently.” In January 2016, “KERRently” was launched and it is where Courtney shares her thoughts on fashion, beauty, travel and just life in general.

You can read our Q+A with Courtney here on our blog.

 

Cailli & Sam Beckerman, Creators of Beckerman Blog

Best for: Blogging, Strategic Partnerships, Fashion Design, Creative Directing

Sam and Cailli Beckerman have been showcasing their fashion sense and outfits of the day since 2009. Living out the ultimate millennial dream, these twins flew to Dubai just to check out Chanel’s new collection for their blog. The twins’ bold styles revolve around bright colors, eclectic designs, and edgy ensembles. Even their ridiculously adorable Pomeranians dress to impress. From being designers to becoming bloggers, these twins have seen it all and have accumulated a following of over 163,000.  

You can read our Q+A with Cailli and Sam here on our blog.

 

 

 

Daniela Ramirez, Creator of Nany’s Klozet

Best for: Blogging, Fashion, Strategic Partnerships

Daniela launched her fashion blog Nany’s Klozet in 2011 to be a fashion diary. Now five years later, she has gained 270,000 followers and over 43,000 YouTube subscribers in both the English speaking and Hispanophone spaces. Some of her partnerships have included Guess, Pantene, Lucky Brand and TRESemmé.

You can read our Q+A with Daniela here on our blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessi Malay, Creator of mywhiteT and Recording Artist

Best for: Blogging, Fashion, Music, Strategic Partnerships

Jessi Malay, a Los Angeles native, doesn’t just document her her daily outfit inspiration on her blog My White T, but she also has a successful music career. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram Jessi has successfully merged her love of music, fashion and beauty and turned it into a full-time career. Check our Q+A with her here.

You can read our Q+A with Jessi here on our blog.

 

Keiko Lynn, Creator of KeikoLynn.com and Founder of Brooklyn Brigade

Best for: Blogging, Creative Directing, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Partnerships

Since 2009, Keiko Lynn has shared her fashion, beauty, and lifestyle musings that have served as inspiration to her followers. Not only that, the Brooklyn based blogger has gone beyond the realm of being a blogger and turned into a creative entrepreneur when she founded Brooklyn Brigade creative studio with follow blogger Helena Glazer. 

She is constantly creating and looking for inspiration, and shares a peek into her daily life, style, and beauty tips on keikolynn.com. 

Kelly Mindell, Founder and Creative Director of Studio DIY

Best for: Entrepreneurship, Creative Directing, Strategic Partnerships

Kelly Mindell, a modern-day artisan and professional celebrator, launched her blog, Studio DIY, during her senior year of college. Her clever, colorful creations has attracted a growing audience of over 306,000 followers that has caught the attention Pocky, Tic Tac, Method Home, and Grease Live. Based in Los Angeles, Kelly pulls inspiration from the West coast culture and has been expanding Studio DIY’s scope by experimenting with fashion, travel, and drool-worthy food, like donut burgers!

Rachel Martino, Creator of RachMartino.com

Best for: Blogging, Strategic Partnerships, Fashion

Rachel Martino is a Francophone fashion and lifestyle blogger based out of Brooklyn that has been able to create an international brand right from her home, with over 384k followers. Not only that, she is 25 and just last year became a full-time blogger after leaving Esteé Lauder Brands as Origins’ Community Manager.

Now, Rachel is fully focused on creating amazing content for her blog, making strategic partnerships that make sense for her blog, and travelling “across the pond” to market to her French audience as well.

You can read our Q+A with Rachel on our blog here.

 

Adrianna Adarme, Creator of A Cozy Kitchen

Best for: Blogging, Book Writing, Cooking, Crafts

Atlanta-native Adrianna Adarme started her blog in 2009 as a place to celebrate pies and corgis - more specifically, her corgi Amelia. However, her blog has been a haven for countless of recipes and projects that have inspired her 230k followers online.

Following the growth of her blog and social channels, Adrianna launched her first book called The Year of Cozy which has various original recipes and projects for the perfect “cozy” home, and is getting ready to release her second cookbook, A Cozy Coloring Cookbook.

You can read our Counter Culture feature with Adrianna on our blog here.

 

Carrie Morey, Founder of Callie’s Charleston Biscuits & Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit

Best for: Entrepreneurship and Food

Carrie Morey became a culinary entrepreneur when she founded Callie’s in 2005 and from then on, she expanded the southern biscuit making tradition by making her brand Callie’s Charleston Biscuits accessible across the country, along with another restaurant in Atlanta’s vibrant Virginia Highlands neighborhood.Today, Callie has authored a cookbook that also includes her entrepreneurial narrative, and also is a guest lecturer at the College of Charleston School of Business, presenting the program’s Entrepreneurship Class.  

Jeni Britton Bauer, Founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Best For: Entrepreneurship & Food

Jeni has been making ice creams professionally for two decades. Before that, she studied art, worked in a bakery, and had a serious hobby blending perfumes and collecting essential oils. Jeni founded Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in 2002. Her ahead-of-the-trend vision—using whole ingredients and dairy from grass-pastured cows, rather than synthetic flavorings and commodity ice cream mix—coupled with inspired flavors sparked the artisan ice cream movement more than a decade before it would become a top food trend. Jeni is a James Beard Award-winning author of two cookbooks and has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the most creative people in business.

We Need to Talk: The Realities of Working While Sick

I don’t talk about this often, because as it is with many disabled or sick people, it’s not what you want to be defined by. Your disability is you and, it’s also not. You feel less than, but you also don’t. And in many ways you feel more capable of taking on challenges because every day presents a new challenge that you overcome. My “disability” is something most people can’t see and I am resistant and to even call it such because compared to those Americans who truly cannot work, I am lucky. 

I have full mental capabilities, both arms, legs, the use of all of my senses, and am in many respects a very healthy person, who simply happens to be very sick. My body is a walking contradiction. I do, however, have an auto-immune disease that I will have for the rest of my life. And as a Type 1 brittle diabetic, there are infinite complications that anyone looking at me is unable to see. 

I am, I should point out, still capable of gainful employment. The Social Security Administration considers “gainful” $1,040 a month for a disabled individual and $1,740 a month for a blind individual. According a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released June 21, 2016, in 2015 17.5 percent of persons with a disability were employed. 32 percent of workers with a disability were employed part time (compared to 18 percent of those without a disability.) Persons with a disability are less likely to work in management, professional, and related occupations than those without a disability. 

I know I am lucky to be employed full-time in professional position. 

However, it is a complication that roars during moments when I need it to be silent. It’s a disease that has landed me in the ICU three times over the last year. And it’s something that, at times, makes working feel impossible and makes me feel like a failure. 

Your disease doesn't care how hard you hustle. It doesn't care if you have a deadline or a flight to catch. 

"Your disease doesn't care how hard you hustle. It doesn't care if you have a deadline or a flight to catch." 

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Case in point: I was packed, ready, and supposed to be in Texas for work on a Monday earlier this year. My flight left at 8am. At 5am that morning, I was rushed to the ER and admitted to the ICU for four days. Unable to talk, my mom had to call my boss and let her know I wouldn’t be on the flight. I remember even in that moment, screaming in pain and gasping for air, thinking, I can’t miss my flight. I have to be in Texas. I have to get there somehow. I had only been at my job about a month and I was devastated. I was frustrated. There is the logical part of a person who knows they are useless if dead. There is the other side of me that hates feeling useless when alive even more. 

All I wanted was to get to work. I had no option but wait. And the reality of working while sick is that sometimes waiting is all you can do. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And it certainly doesn’t mean that I don’t cry or get frustrated or fear that one day, it might cost me my job. 

There are days when my blood sugar is so high that I find it impossible to get work done. Days when my blood sugar is low that I sit at my desk and shake and sweat for twenty minutes. Sometimes this happens in the middle of an important conference call. Sometimes it happens when I’m up against a deadline. 

There are always going to be parts of my job that don’t align with a health plan. Stress raises your blood sugar. Not eating consistent meals makes it go crazy. And as much as I try to manage stress or stay consistent, there are days where I’m up against the clock, or have a million and one things to do, and I’m stressed. My blood sugar spikes. I’ll feel confused, less capable, and disoriented. 

There are moments when you’re afraid you’ll lose your job because of the number of doctor’s appointments you have, or the unexpected trips to the ER that take you out for four whole days. You feel guilty that you get more allowances than your co-workers. You try to make up for it by making sure you don't miss deadlines, that you power through the pain, and show up for your team. But you cannot forget to show up for yourself. 

What I’ve learned is that taking care of my health is number one. I’ve also learned that no matter how regimented I keep it, there are going to be off days. It is during those moments that being patient with myself is more important that soldering through. 

As an employee the best thing I can do is my best. On most days that is more than enough. On my worst day, it might not be. But I've come to learn that I don't need to justify my job. 

I've earned it based on merit and hard work-- something no sickness or disability can take away. 

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RSVP Now For The Create & Cultivate ATL Happy Hour

Create & Cultivate ATL is only a few months away, but that doesn’t mean that you have to wait until the last minute to get your plans ready for the big day!

Starting this week if you have a VIP ticket, you will be able to start selecting your mentors, and you can already get a head start on RSVP’ing for the Create & Cultivate ATL attendee happy hour on October 14th! 

The attendee happy hour is a great way for you to network and mingle with all the attendees that will be joining you at our conference the day before, and can also be a way for you to start setting your wolfpack for the big day so you’re not alone!

RSVP below for our happy hour and we will send you full details come closer to October 16th!

We can’t wait to see you all this fall, and get ready to have the best time at Create & Cultivate ATL! 

DETAILS:

Lenox Square, Neiman Marcus Wing
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326
6PM - 7:30PM
Beer, wine, and light snacks will be provided

Please be sure to bring your conference badge or order number/confirmation number from your Create & Cultivate ATL ticket purchase to confirm your entry into the happy hour!

RSVP CLOSED

Google Finally Introduced These 11 New Much-Needed Emojis

Illustration by Chloe White

Since the dawn of the emoji, we've seen a fairly restrictive approach gender stereotypes. More often than not, we see more male emojis that tend to describe general everyday actions and certain jobs, while female emojis are restricted to reactions, princesses, brides, and even that spicy salsa lady dressed in red (because, truth, sometimes you need to send someone a cha, cha, chaaaa, but sometimes you want to show someone you're cha, cha, ching the boss). 

It’s 2016 - and women are holding down jobs in STEM, the C-Suite, and HRC is running for POTUS. So our digital emoji world was running a little behind up until last week. 

Thanks to Google, women are now represented not only as pretty princess emojis. Earlier this year, Google proposed to Unicode to introduce 11 new emoticons that represented women in diverse work fields to promote gender equality. This week for World Emoji Day, Google announced that they’re coming to life as part of 300 new Google emojis that are being introduced with Unicode.

Sometimes you need to send someone a cha, cha, cha, but sometimes you want to show someone you're cha, cha, ching, the boss. 

Tweet this.

“While there’s a huge range of emoji, there aren’t a lot that highlight the diversity of women’s careers, or empower young girls,” wrote Nicole Bleuel, Marketing Lead & Diversity Champion, Emoji, in a recent blog post. 

The 11 new emoticons include: doctor, policewoman, cook, coders, a female David Bowie-esque rockstar, farmer, mechanic, construction worker, and many more. The only two emojis that did not make the cut: tech line worker and a nurse. 

“We proposed a set of new emoji to the Unicode Technical Committee that represent a wider range of professions for women (as well as men), and reflect the pivotal roles that women play in the world.,” said Google in their announcement on their blog. The new emojis will “make emoji more representative of the millions of people who use them.”

However, of course you can’t have progress, even in the emoji world, without a few haters.

“Why don't we get emoji's to represent humans/ mankind? Why women in particular? Then men also need some emojis like father, son etc.,” said one Twitter user in response to the announcement.

“I can't believe you let feminists get to you. Where is our Demi-queer Bi-gender disco pony day????,” said another user. 

However, the fact that a conglomerate like Google was the first to campaign for more emoji representation of women in diverse work fields speaks volumes to the movement that continues to create equality for women in the workplace in the past century. (Even though there is a whole group of boys who see Anna and Elsa from Frozen as the new superheroes. More on that here.)

If Google, a powerful Silicon Valley-based tech company that is notorious for it’s lack of gender and racial diversity, is calling out for more representation within the world of tech itself, it's a step we can throw some love at. (Include all happy emojis here.) And it's a move that will hopefully influence the rest of Silicon Valley to recognize women for tech jobs.

We commend you Google, and we thank you. Because finally, we can show via text that we’re businesswomen, and we don’t have to substitute with a male emoji. Heart. Smiley. Thumbs up.  

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Men's Streetwear Mammoth Bobby Hundreds Is About to Change the Game

photo credit: Josh Escueta

Bobby Kim, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Hundreds, is not the highest paid employee at the company he co-founded in 2003. 

“Sometimes (partner) Ben and I don’t even pay ourselves,” he says. “It’s an approach to “doing business,” that puts the brand and its core values first. Mind over money, but not over matter.  

“I like making work that I’m proud of,” he tells us from the red leather chair inside The Hundreds office in Vernon, CA. The shelves are full of trinkets and glittering The Hundreds signs. The mood board is covered in magazine clippings and tear outs ranging from photos of Angelina Jolie and Liv Tyler, to drawings from his kids, postcards of the ocean and surfers waiting on waves, and a MOMA VIP ticket. Bobby dressed in a black “Flag” The Hundreds t-shirt (check out the Wildfire video he just released featuring the shirt) and old black The Hundreds tennis shoes is unfussy AF. As noted by multiple publications, Bobby doesn’t put much stock in “things,” wearing items until they fall apart. “Money,” he tells us later in the conversation, “just gives people more reasons to be unhappy. When I’m out on my board,” he says, referring to his surfing habit, “those fish, they don’t care… everything else is ancillary.”

At this moment in our conversation we’re talking about work. “I think,” he says, referring to creating work he’s proud of, “that’s the most important issue I’ve tried to drill into my staff this year.”

“Money just gives people more reasons to be unhappy.” 

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Currently that staff consists mainly of men with few women company-wide. Of approximately 60 Hundreds' employees, about ten are female. Bobby acknowledges, “definitely not enough,” but not many women apply because streetwear is not the most open community.  “A lot of women feel like they’re not welcome in streetwear,” he says. 

photo credit: Josh Escueta

“I don’t know what it’s like to be a woman and I can’t speak for women, but it’s hard enough for a dude on Fairfax,” he says of the infamous LA strip highly concentrated with streetwear brands. “Dudes get sweated. So for a woman? First of all, in most of those dude’s heads it’s ‘what’s a girl even doing here?' ” 

He mentions the company's yearly summer open call for interns. “Hundreds of people showed up, the line was down the parking lot,” he says. “And the ratio was about the same. Out of a hundred people, probably ten were women.” 

When The Hundreds launched there were (and still are) formidable women in the game: Leah McSweeney, founder and CEO of Married to the MOB, Lanie Alabanza-Barcena, founder and Creative Director of Hellz Bellz, Lauren Marie and Ashley Jones, co-founders of Dime Piece, and Melody Ehsani, founder of Melody Ehsani. “I assumed that in their wake there would be another wave of women streetwear designers,” he says, “but there wasn’t.” 

In the early 2000s, the wholesale market for female streetwear wasn’t sustainable and many retailers didn’t know how to position the product. Now with the decline of retail, he explains, the wholesale model is being rethought. “As more brands start to decide on a direct-to-consumer approach,” Bobby says, “you don’t need to play by the rules. You can be a women’s streetwear brand and you can make it work now.” 

The market isn’t the only issue. Feminism, female empowerment, and streetwear aren’t seen as roads that lead into each other. “I don’t think we’re generally warm to women,” he agrees. “It’s a boys club, and when boys get together their psychology and perspective on what they think is equal is so skewed. It’s crazy some of the conversations I’ve had with my own staff and within the industry.” And yet it’s a conversation he is committed to having. 

Moreover Bobby is not one for playing by the rules. 

photo credit: Josh Escueta 

When Ben and Bobby started, it was imperative to have a blog element as a means of discourse. Listening and sharing is a through-line of Bobby’s professional and personal trajectory.

Let’s rewind about 20 years. 

Before The Hundreds Bobby was a writer and an activist. “I was freelancing a lot, I was the editor at a magazine and when Blogspot launched in 1999, I had a blog and quickly realized the power of the Internet.” As a teenager in the punk community, he photographed police brutality at shows. He protested at Black Panther rallies, Food Not Bomb rallies, and was a member of the National Lawyers Guild, having focussed on human rights issues during law school.

So when he launched The Hundreds he wanted, “people to understand who I was as human."

"I love making money and running a business, supporting my family and friends," he says, "but I’ve always wanted to figure out how to engage. Open up communication and draw people together. I’m a sharer. I want people to talk.” 

“I’ve always wanted to figure out how to engage. Open up communication and draw people together.”

Tweet this. 

He explains however, that back then streetwear and its community had a complete opposite approach. “If you had a secret, you shut up. You didn’t put it on blast.”

“Streetwear is structured on rules,” he comments, then making clear, “I don’t believe in boundaries. So when Ben and I entered the fray, we never played by the rules.” His approach to both business and politics has made him “a lot of friends,” he says, “but even more enemies.” He doesn't mind. 

“Because I came in and impacted the game in a way that I thought was beneficial...a lot of people took and take issue with that.” He remains focussed on doing “whatever I can to get the right information out to my audience.” That audience is the fan base and traffic drawn to The Hundreds blog as well as the clothing line. On Instagram the brand reach is about 350k people. Bobby’s own IG clocks in at a little over 160k. The Hundreds also recently started a highly produced Facebook Live “talk show,” shot from inside Bobby’s office.  

“There’s a real education issue and a real compassion issue,” he says. So what can he do as a father, a businessman, and a community leader, we ask, specifically in regards to gender issues. 

“What can I do? With my children, I can have really deep, meaningful conversations about being conscious and empathetic to other people.” He has two sons, turning four and seven, with whom he is committed to engaging in conversation. “When my sons ask me why I’m wearing pink because pink is for girls, that warrants a longer conversation.”

“We have an entire generation of boys right now whose favorite film is Frozen. Their favorite characters are Elsa and Anna. Those are their superheroes. Is it weird that my kids are into watching Frozen or they think princesses are cool? No. Why is that weird at all? They’re also going to grow up in a world where we will have a woman president.”

He’s emphatic about this. “My boys are going to grow up with a woman in charge of this country and they have never known a white president. That’s powerful and also incredibly normal for them.” 

But what about the front-lines of streetwear? “With streetwear what can I do?” he asks. “With streetwear I have a platform that’s not just t-shirts. It’s content and it’s my presence as a personality and a voice in this world. Not a lot of people in streetwear and fashion are speaking out about a lot of injustices.”

photo credit: Josh Escueta 

“I think the odds are against me because I work and exist in a primarily male-dominated space that’s not really open to listening to women right now, but that’s a huge opportunity. Let’s champion women and level the playing field, but that means men have to be a part of the conversation.”

It’s an opportunity he’s seizing-- not, we should note, for profit, but because the constant through-line of his career is again, opening the convo, getting people to talk. 

“I’m starting a separate side project that’s going to be launching this fall/winter,” he reveals. "I’ve always been intrigued by the idea that girls and women are open and accepting of the idea of wearing men’s clothes. But why isn’t it OK for men to do the same with women’s clothes?” 

“You’re starting to see a little of it,” he says, “but there’s a lot of resistance still.” 

So he’s getting in front of it with “Jennifer,” the tentatively named brand, entirely separate from The Hundreds, that’s primed to change the game. 

“It’s going to be a very subtle transition,” he explains. “I want to create the first brand that is for, targeted, and designed for women, but men will want it and wear it, and it won’t be weird. I want to break down the walls of ‘that’s for men,’ and ‘that’s for women.’”

"I want to break down the walls of ‘that’s for men,’ and ‘that’s for women.’”

Tweet this. 

In regards to his fall launch, he hopes there isn’t backlash, but won’t be surprised. “I think people might say it’s a marketing gimmick-- that’ll probably be the convo first and foremost.” 

“‘Ohhh, Bobby supports women now? When he used to put naked girls on t-shirts and still kind of does…’” We chat about one specific shirt The Hundreds released in 2011, with a woman’s body divided into sections a la vintage Mexican posters from butcher shops. It received a fair amount of hate— understandably.  Woman-as-meat, not the most progressive message, though Bobby says the point was that we shouldn’t treat women as such. “I would never make that shirt again,” he admits. “Luckily, I'm surrounded by some very generous, patient women who take the time to explain little things to me. But that’s part of the problem, there’s not enough awareness in our space.”

His is an axiomatic approach to learning. “I want to be engaged in life,” he says. “I always say that life isn’t short but the chapters are and I really read every paragraph.”

“Life isn’t short but the chapters are and I really read every paragraph.”

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The world of streetwear has to be willing to engage in that convo, and not use feminism or other such messaging as a marketing tool. “I don’t have anything to gain from the other brand, I make my money, I’m good. I’m not balling out of control. I don’t have a yacht. But when it comes to any type of injustice, I want to flatten it out because it doesn’t make sense to me. If you’re a logical person, you shouldn’t be able to live in a world that’s illogical.”

He believes artists and designers are looking at the world thinking, ‘It’s not pretty enough, I know how to make it better.” That’s the way he approaches injustice of any kind, from police brutality to racism, ageism, gender issues, and beyond.

At this juncture he says he doesn’t know enough to be able to claim “feminist.” 

“That term is so nuanced now. I don’t know enough. I’m here to learn. That’s the way to grow and progress, be willing to learn and listen.” 

“I learn so much from women, and I wish more men would listen, but they won’t because they think certain content ‘is for girls.’”

photo credit: Josh Escueta 

As to whether or not the community is ready for "Jennifer," he’s split. Despite the boys club of it all, he says, “I think a guy who is drawn to streetwear is actually pretty advanced; there is a sense of snobbery sure, it’s a very high-fashion approach to casual, basic attire. But it also draws in the kind of person who wants to be better, know more, and wants to be ahead of what everyone else is doing.”

“What could be more advanced and more ahead than supporting human rights issues and women’s issues or listening to the black community?” he asks. “If you don’t get on the female empowerment train, you’re going to lose. You’re not just going to lose in life, you’re going to lose in business.”

"If you don’t get on the female empowerment train, you’re going to lose."

Tweet this. 

We bring up a novel we just read, “All New People,” where the father tells his daughter to always be herself because in one hundred years, it’s "all new people." Bobby nods, agrees, and then switches it up. “I’d go so far to say, every day it’s all new people.” 

“I can reinvent myself every single day. I can add something new to the conversation. I always say new conversations, new opinions. It frustrates my team because every quarter I come in and change my mind, but get with it. It’s 2016 and this is the way the world works. Every day is different.” 

Arianna Schioldager is editorial director at Create & Cultivate. She never gets to profile men. 

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Why Philanthropy Will Always Be at the Core of the Kendra Scott Brand

As the woman behind Kendra Scott’s creative strategy, Katie Marston dedicates her work to building Kendra and her brand’s strength on an international scale through the reinforcement of Kendra Scott’s founding pillars: Family, Fashion and Philanthropy. Her main goals? To connect on a genuine, personal level with the consumer through fashion and always find a way to make a positive difference. 

Kendra Scott founded her company in 2002 with only $500 and just after the birth of her first son. Seeing herself as a mom first, she was driven to create a work culture unlike any others in the industry. To Kendra, it was just as important to tuck her kids into bed at night as it was to become a leader in the business world. And she made it her priority to hire individuals with those same family values, making the “Family First” mindset a crucial part of the Kendra Scott work culture. Kendra Scott’s three core pillars built a strong foundation that has led the company to incredible growth and success, and set an example that other companies are eager to follow. 

But for Marston, another priority has become just as essential to the company’s future: Telling the story of Kendra herself. Many brands’ founders fade into the background and let the business become the focus. But Kendra, as lead designer, founder and CEO of Kendra Scott, LLC, remains at the heart of every aspect of her company’s growth. From the design of a new collection and visits to her growing number of stores, to philanthropic partnerships on local and national levels, the Kendra Scott brand continues to be the actualization of Kendra’s personal vision.

Kendra Scott began designing jewelry in the spare bedroom in her Austin home. She was inspired to craft the jewelry she wanted to wear, jewelry that she says “filled the void between high-end brands and pieces that would fall apart after a few wears.” She walked, with her baby on her hip, selling her jewelry door to door to the local boutiques in Austin. When she sold out of her first collection in her first day, she knew she was onto something special. “Although to this day I don’t know if it’s because they really liked my jewelry, or they just felt sorry for me!” Kendra jokes. Kendra Scott has made a name for herself in the fashion industry through her impactful designs, which evolve alongside the world of fashion and provide customers with high value product at an accessible price.

Kendra’s desire to give back is in her bones. When she was 19, Scott began a company called Hat Box. Inspired by her stepfather’s own battle with cancer, the store was focused on using the proceeds to raise money for cancer research. That philanthropic business focus followed her into her next venture, Kendra Scott jewelry, and has become a genuine and differentiating factor for the company. Kendra Scott lives by the belief that there is always something to give, and is driven to “do good” and make a positive difference in the world through her business.

"Kendra Scott lives by the belief that there is always something to give, and is driven to 'do good.'”

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It was that unique approach to business that first caught Katie Marston’s attention when she joined the company nearly two years ago. “Philanthropy was not merely an add-on. They weren’t following a corporate giving model,” Marston said. “Giving back was the heart of the Kendra Scott brand, bringing life and loyalty to the business in a way no other brand could match. And I knew I had to be a part of it.” 

As Kendra Scott’s VP of Marketing, Marston has identified a few key points to consider when developing your company’s giving initiatives. First, and most important, is a genuine passion for giving back. For Kendra, that passion came from her stepfather Rob, who spoke the message “You Do Good” to her during his battle with brain cancer.

“Because of Rob,” says Scott, “I was inspired to create a business that did something more, that gave back to the community in real, meaningful ways.” It’s this incredible dedication to philanthropy that has become a hallmark of the Kendra Scott culture. “‘You do good’ aren’t just words; it’s a motto I carry into all choices throughout my business.” 

“I was inspired to create a business that did something more, that gave back to the community in real, meaningful ways.”

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Katie Marston echoes Kendra’s passion for philanthropy, and explains how this key part of their business has strengthened the company in a powerful way. “A philanthropic element to business can inspire fierce customer loyalty, but it has to be authentic,” Marston explains. “People want to support companies that care about what they care about. That’s why we value the grassroots connection so highly.” 

This hits on another mantra of the Kendra Scott company: “What Matters to You Matters to Us.” Whether it’s donating jewelry to a silent auction at a local school, hosting fundraising events in our store for a neighbor in need, or participating in a walk for a local organization, Kendra Scott believes there is always something to give. “We genuinely care for our customers and the causes they care about,” Marston says. “As a company, we believe that giving back in our communities is the greatest way to make a difference.” 

"As a company, we believe that giving back in our communities is the greatest way to make a difference.” 

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With the opening of every new Kendra Scott store, there is a team dedicated to getting involved with the community on the ground level, researching and figuring out how to get involved with local organizations. Scott admits, “It’s certainly not the easiest business model to follow, but philanthropy has become an integral part of who we are. And the relationships we have built with our customers as a result are truly invaluable.” 

Today, Kendra Scott partners with thousands of philanthropic organizations nationwide through her Kendra Gives Back program, which just last year gave back $1.4 million and donated over 50,000 pieces of jewelry. On a national scale, Kendra Scott supports The Seton Breast Cancer Care Center, MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, and the National Down Syndrome Congress. 

To learn more be sure to check out Katie Marston on panel when she joins us at #CreateCultivateATL. 

Gal on the Go: The Ultimate Boss Guide to San Francisco

CREATE & INNOVATE in collaboration with Marriott Hotels

The best place for a morning cup of coffee. 

Presidential Suite at San Francisco Marriott Waterfront property. 

Photo credit: Milo Cho 

We headed to San Francisco this past month in partnership with Marriott Hotels to profile five women working and living in that glorious city by the Bay. Each woman is at a different point in her career. Each with a different focus, personal definition of success and balance, various insights, and secrets to share about the city.  

We stayed at the newly renovated San Francisco Waterfront property (see above photos and the ceiling glass in the Great Room), talked best spots for coffee (obviously), their favorite place to sit and be still in the midst of the daily grind, and tourist locations that are their guilty pleasure. Spoiler: three of them have never walked the Golden Gate Bridge. 

APRIL GARGIULO, FOUNDER, VINTNER'S DAUGHTER 

"The most surprising part of entrepreneurship in the beauty space is how intimate it can be. When talking about skincare, you cut through so much artifice so fast."

"I love helping woman feel confident in their skin. The best emails I ever receive are the one’s that say 'I have stopped wearing makeup.' It might sound silly, but there is a lot of freedom in that."

Like Vintner’s Daughter, March is entirely focused on the thoughtful materials and process. March gathers the very finest artisans from around the world under one roof. We are honored to be a small part of it. 

Photo credit: Andrea Posadas 

She's a designer, wine maker, and now skin care expert, but the through line of April Gargiulo's career has always been "businesses that are focused on quality and expression at the highest level." 

April founded Vintner's Daughter an active botanical face oil "designed to be a powerhouse of multi-correctional activity." She calls it her desert island product (and has the skin to prove it).  "It address all of my skincare needs (acne, discoloration, elasticity, tone and clarity) at the highest levels and without toxins. It's the product I would never go without. Interestingly, because we addressed my skincare needs at such a foundational level, Active Botanical Serum is able to correct a multitude of skin issues; from rosacea to acne."

It's also a face serum for the busy working woman who doesn't have the time for a multi-step skin care regime every night. 6-8 drops, 30 seconds of pushing and pressing per the serum's instructions, and you're glowing. "I am a business woman," she notes, "who is focused on creating the most uncompromisingly effective skincare made from the world’s finest ingredients."

Or simply: "Put Vintner's Daughter on, drop the mic, and walk away." 

"Put Vintner's Daughter on, drop the mic, and walk away." 

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Who: April Gargiulo, Founder, Vintner's Daughter

Where: March, the first stockist of her product, Lower Pacific Heights 

Favorite spot to find the perfect chair: Hedge Gallery or Almond Hartzog

Where she'll grab a glass of wine with a career peer: The Progress

The facialist to whom she entrusts her skin: A Facial Massage from Julie Lynge. Her hands are magic. 

Where she'll take a client dinner: Octavia 

Favorite spot to grab coffee with a friend: As Quoted

If she could choose to sit and be still anywhere in the city, it would be: Wood Line. An installation by artist Andy Goldsworthy in the Presidio. 

Tourist attraction in SF she's never visited: I’ve never walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. 

ANGELA TAFOYA, EDITOR, LONNY MAG

"Four Barrel is a great place to grab coffee, especially if you're going bar hopping after." Angela perched on the outside seating at Four Barrel. 

"I love the ability to tell and share people's stories on a platform. Seeing something come to fruition from an idea to execution is very fulfilling. I also just have a huge thirst for information and am so interested in the how and why people engage with content." 

Browsing the racks at Le Point. The store with the "gorgeous light and even more gorgeous wares." 

Photo credit: Anna-Alexia Basile  

Lonny Mag is an SF-based interior design publication that focuses on accessible design, but as the news and apartment prices tell us, SF is a very expensive city, even for successful, young professionals. In line with Lonny’s mission, Angela has found a way to enjoy "the culture and essence of the city by the Bay" even in the face of it's higher price tag. "I try to be mindful of little things during the week I can cut back on. While on-demand services are certainly convenient, I try to limit my use (only for times of dire need). Also, we lived in a pretty fair-priced storefront-style home in the heart of the Mission for years. We made it work (quite well actually) and just made some DIY adjustments to make it perfect for our needs. It was great, we were able to live in an awesome neighborhood and didn't have to pay the outrageous prices."

She still trusts her "tried-and-true written agenda" when it comes to organizing her editorial calendar, saying, "it's yet to let me down." And yes, if you're wondering if working for an interior design publication gives her the itch to re-do her house all. the. time. The answer is yes. "And, I succumb to it," she says. "I am actually in the process of redoing my house right now." 

Who: Angela Tafoya, Editor of Lonny Magazine

Where: Four Barrel and Le Point, the Mission 

Best place to stock your first “adult” kitchen: Gus's in the Mission. It's a relatively new, family-owned grocery store with plenty of local purveyors and an amazing bakery and sandwich shop inside. 

Go for a solo outing: On my free days, which don't happen too often, I love grabbing a blanket and a magazine and lounging at Precita Park. Soaking up the sun and just doing nothing for an afternoon is very freeing. I also love walking down Valencia Street and popping into some of my favorite shops like Le Point, Voyager, and Mira Mira. 

If she could sit and be still anywhere in the city it would be: An August or September evening, dusk, and I would be atop of Bernal Hill watching the sunset, soaking in the palatial view of the city — reflecting on my day.

Piece of furniture she's pining after: A fuchsia Hans Olsen Settee chair spotted at De Angelis. "It's a little bit outside my price range," she says, "and let's be honest, not super practical but — a hot pink sofa? Who can resist?"

"Atop of Bernal Hill watching the sunset, soaking in the palatial view of the city — reflecting on my day."

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Tourist attraction in SF she's never visited: I've never actually stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge lookout point. Who am I?

SF tourist attraction that's a guilty pleasure: The Painted Ladies, of course! 

Have a glass of wine with a career peer: Mission Cheese. I love to grab a glass of Rosé and a cheese plate and sit on the patio. 

ELIZABETH SPIRIDAKIS OLSON, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, AFAR MEDIA

Elizabeth in front of her office mood board. 

Zoomed in. 

Reading materials and daily inspirations. 

"I think i just love content. creating it, enhancing it, celebrating it." 

Photo credit: Anna-Alexia Basile

Elizabeth Spiridakis Olson works for a company focused on travel. So it's only natural that, time to time, she would want to get out of the office and jump into the photos, Mary Poppins style. "I dream about it a lot!," she says. "I get especially excited when we are working on stories about big cities, my favorite kind of travel. Places like Copenhagen, Tokyo, Lisbon, Budapest, and Berlin." But as new mom to a  5 ½ month old and the Creative Director for all of AFAR Media, a getaway isn't the easiest. "Today I had a meeting to finalize the cover for the issue we are closing right now, had a planning meeting for the January cover, approved layouts for this issue, met with my digital designer about some new projects, plans and changes for our website and our mobile app, and checked in on the progress of an AFAR-branded retail situation that is in the works."

Each of her days is a little bit different, which, she says "is nice." 

"There are photo edits to look through, color to approve, shoots to plan, digital planning meetings, and more." But even in the face of a hectic work/life she says it's so important to "be someone that others like to work with. Most of my jobs (long stints at Details, T, and Bon Appetit) came from recommendations from people who had worked with me before." 

"Be someone that others like to work with."

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Who: Elizabeth Spiridakis Olson, Creative Director AFAR Media 

Where: AFAR Offices, Financial District 

Best place to go for a solo outing: Temescal Alley in Oakland. Does vintage shopping and eating donuts count as a good solo outing??? [Ed. note: yes.] 

Have a glass of wine with a career peer: Over lunch and pizzas at Cotogna 

Get dessert: Humphry Slocombe for a cone of secret breakfast

Favorite spot to have a client dinner: Tosca!!!

Best thing on the menu in her opinion: Cacio e pepe and the pony bottles of Miller High Life 

Favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee with a friend: Bartavelle in Berkeley, at the Blue Bottle that is attached to the Heath building, or Craftsman + Wolves in the Mission

Tourist attraction in SF she's never visited: I’ve never actually walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. I want to but it seems so WINDY all the time and...a LOT of walking?

SF tourist attraction that’s a guilty pleasure: Alcatraz and Haight Ashbury 

If she could sit and be still anywhere in the city it would be: I love the new SFMOMA. There are a lot of beautiful galleries to sit in and take a minute to yourself. 

AMANDA HOLSTEIN, FOUNDER, ADVICE FROM A 20-SOMETHING

"It's tough not having someone around to bounce ideas off of. Even just having someone to listen while I talk through some of my thoughts and ideas would be so helpful!"

"If someone comes to visit I always take people on a walk to Crissy Beach. The views of the water and the bridge are amazing and so iconic of San Francisco."

Photo credit: Andrea Posadas 

Amanda Holstein runs the popular modern advice column/blog, Advice from a 20-Something where she shares the ups and downs, inns and outs of being, well, 20. For avid readers don't worry, she's already purchased the domaine, Advice from a 30-something, where she'll likely be sharing her journey on the next phase of her life. For now though, she lives in the Polk Neighborhood in SF and she focusses on sharing real content. "I love that what I'm working on is my own. It makes me work that much harder knowing that this thing I've created is an extension of me and I feel so much passion for it," she says. She's part of a generation that's forged a path for themselves. They're influential and early adapters. "I love being my own boss, coming up with what to work on every day, and feeling true satisfaction as a result of my own hard work."

"I love that what I'm working on is my own. It makes me work that much harder."

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Her way to weed out what to share and what not to is fairly simple. "My blog is all about offering real life, down-to-earth advice to twenty-somethings," she explains. "I make sure that everything I decide to share falls under that umbrella. I always ask myself, 'Would this content be helpful to a typical twenty-something?' If not, then I don't share it."

Who: Amanda Holstein, Founder, Advice From a 20-Something

Where: Saint Frank Coffee and Cheese Plus, Historic Russian Hill 

Favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee with a friend: Saint Frank! I love the decor, the vibe, and the coffee, of course.

Go for a solo outing: Crissy Beach — even if it's chilly, it's a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

An unexpected doorway to take a good blog photo: The carved wooden doors outside of Reverb on Polk St.

Have a glass of wine with a career peer: Union Larder

Tourist attraction in SF she's never visited: Alcatraz! I'm dying to see it but it's always booked!

SF tourist attraction that’s a guilty pleasure: Lombard Street — I actually live on Lombard St about three blocks from the famous zig-zag part of the street and it really is a site to see!

EMMA BROOKS, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, OAKLAND 

"Word of mouth is my best friend. I also get a lot of inquiries from people who find my work on Pinterest." 

Photo credit: Milo Cho 

Emma Brooks, known to the internet and Instagram as Emma Dime, is an Oakland based Graphic Designer whose work is the stuff of design dreams. Crisp, simple, and unexpected, she spends her days in her home office working for clients as well focusing her efforts on a new design shop Hands-On, which she recently launched with a good friend that lives in Austin, TX. "We're virtually working together every single day so that has created a new kind of working environment for me."

According to Emma the best part of her job is freedom. "The freedom to take on jobs that excite me. The freedom to control my own schedule. The freedom to shift gears at any moment in time. I could go on and on." That doesn't negate the difficulties of freelancing. "I definitely get a case of the lonelies from time to time," she says, "and when the work load is heavy I'll disappear for a few days at a time and get lost in all of my projects." She also knows that just because there is a freedom in working for yourself, you should likewise expect to "Work hard. Work as hard as you possible can and then work some more." 

"Work hard. Work as hard as you possibly can and then work some more."

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"My lack of balance can be frustrating at times," she says, "but I love what I do."

Who: Emma Brooks, Graphic Designer, Oakland

Location: Her Oakland Home/Office 

Go for a solo (Oakland) outing: I love to cruise Temescal Alley. It's got everything you need — coffee, food, shopping, and great people watching! I usually get a coffee at The Cro Cafe first and then I'll browse Ali Golden, a local designer that has quickly become a favorite of mine. Crimson always smells good and is covered in thriving plants. Homestead Apothecary is where I pick up my sleepy time tea. Esqueleto has a great rotating jewelry and art selection. On a good day,  I'll hit up Bakesale Betty for the lunch of my dreams - a fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw. Yes please! 

Have a glass of wine with a career peer: Ordinaire is top notch. They have a great selection of natural wines from France, Italy, Spain, and California. The staff is super pro and super fun too! 

Get a new book: Book/Shop in Temescal Alley carries an incredible selection of rare books. They also have small batch furniture, artwork, lighting, and other small goods. Issues is great for magazines. 

If someone comes to visit the one spot she has to show them:  I've been spending a lot of time up near Stinson Beach and Muir Woods - it's about an hour north of San Francisco. It has a small town vibe, surrounded by gorgeous trees, fog, and the ocean. It has lots of hiking trails that weave through some of the most beautiful California terrain I've seen to date. You're allowed to have a bonfire on Muir Beach so I always make sure to bring food, booze and a few blankets. It's always the perfect end to a day full of hiking and exploring. 

Favorite spot to have a client dinner: Penrose — California cuisine in an environment that feels like... Paris! Every time I go there, I fall more in love with the space. It's magical. 

Favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee with a friend: Boot & Shoe Service has great coffee, the BEST granola, and a cozy ambiance. It's also walking distance from Lake Merritt so if you want to grab a coffee and keep moving, you can head over to that path.  Trouble Coffee just opened up by my house and is also a must. Their cold brew will have you jazzed for days! 

Tourist attraction in SF she's never visited: I still haven't been to Alcatraz. I want to spend more time in all of the museums and parks — especially the MOMA, now that it's reopened. 

SF tourist attraction that’s a guilty pleasure: The boat rides that go out onto the bay. If you go over to the obnoxiously crowded Fisherman's Wharf, you can catch one for pretty cheap. There is nothing like seeing San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge from the water - especially on a clear sunny day. Foggy days are cool too. You really can't go wrong. 

If she could sit and be still anywhere in the city it would be: Somewhere by the water. In the East Bay, it's Crown Beach. My husband and I have started going there for a couple of hours every Sunday. In San Francisco, it's the west side of the city that looks out onto the ocean: Land's End and Ocean Beach.

Create & Cultivate will be visiting 5 more cities across the United States in partnership with Marriott. For our next city, we're heading to Miami. 

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